Young woman compensated after molar pregnancy missed

A young woman, known only as AB to protect her identity, has settled a medical negligence claim following the missed diagnosis of a molar pregnancy.

AB was represented by medical negligence solicitor Anna Brothers who said that her client had suffered ‘traumatic and devastating treatment and care which has left her unable to have children’.

AB had hoped to have two children and became pregnant after two months of stopping the contraceptive pill. At around nine weeks gestation she suffered from irregular vaginal bleeding.

Ultrasound examination findings suggested she might be experiencing a molar pregnancy, where the placenta and foetus does not form properly, and the baby does not develop.

Although the clinical evidence was highly suggestive of a molar pregnancy the diagnosis was missed and therefore the NHS trust responsible for AB’s health did not register her pregnancy with the Gestational Trophoblastic Unit at Charing Cross, where she would have received more detailed investigations and treatment.

Over the next month the molar pregnancy was untreated and progressed until AB collapsed and required admission to A&E.

She was admitted as an emergency case as she suffered from an acute intra-abdominal bleed, a consequence of uterine perforation caused by persistent gestational trophoblastic disease.

AB underwent a laparotomy to repair the perforation and to remove tissue from her uterus. The surgery to repair the perforation lasted seven hours and she required 10 units of blood, and 6 units of fresh frozen plasma.

AB believed then and now that she could have died.

Following surgery, AB required chemotherapy which has been successful. She has a seven inch scar and has been unable to get pregnant again.

Leigh Day successfully argued that if the correct diagnosis had been made in time then AB would have been registered at Charing Cross earlier, commenced chemotherapy and not have developed uterine perforation or collapsed.

AB would not have suffered from adverse psychological effects from her ordeal. She now faces the prospect that she may never be able to have the family she always wanted.

A trial was set for later this year but Anna was able to negotiate a settlement with the defendant trust who also admitted liability.

Leigh Day medical negligence solicitor Anna Brothers said:

“Our client’s hopes of having a family have been ruined by this missed diagnosis. I hope that the admission by the trust and the damages paid can go some way towards helping her rebuild her life and to put these horrifying events behind her.”